The Diary - upcoming news and events from 20th January onwards.
A lost doorway from Bannockburn House
Welcome to Stirling Archaeology’s ‘The Diary’ , a weekly summary of all the interesting history and archaeological things happening round Stirling, including some of my adventures which finishes with a very bad joke and a poem so make sure you read to the end!
If you have an event or a group you’d like to promote please get in contact.
Murray’s Meanders!
An interesting week for me…Saturday was the wonderful annual conference at Falkirk exploring the last ever Jacobite victory in 1746 at Falkirk. Bravo to the organisers.
I also attended a great event celebrating the Food and Drink Festival which included a film I helped with celebrating Stirling’s history.
But just before that I’d gone to Bannockburn House for a great wee discovery. A blocked door. Unfortunately as you will learn this is a product of a failing roof and poor maintenance in the 20th century. I’ve made two videos and there is a also a plea to help with an emergency repair which will cost £5000. Can you help?
This one features the new discovery
and this one the problems
A wee reminder that my Digging for Britain talking about the Old Kilmadock stone is on the Iplayer!
The Smith
The Throckmorton Letters: A Diplomat’s Despair
Talk at the Smith, 29 January 2025, 2pm
It’s July 1567. The English ambassador Nicholas Throckmorton arrives in Scotland. Here, he witnesses the deposition of Mary, Queen of Scots, the coronation of her infant son James VI, and the rise to power of her half-brother, the Regent Moray. Throckmorton's letters from Edinburgh show a world controlled by fragile alliances, political intrigue and betrayal, telling the story of a kingdom on the brink of civil war.
Katharina Pruente is a PhD researcher in Scottish history at the University of Stirling. Her focus on historical communities, the impact of friendship on diplomacy and politics, and the role of ambassadors in early modern Europe will make this a fascinating talk. If you enjoyed Wolf Hall, you will love this!
Stirling University Art Collection……
One of our greatest gems is the Uni’s art collection and its various exhibitions. The best way to find out what’s going on is to join their email list
Stirling Field and Archaeological Society.
The Society’s next evening meeting is on Tuesday 14 th January, at 7.30pm in St Ninians Old Parish Halls, when we will hear about Archaeology Scotland’s ‘BIG DIG’ 2024 at Newbattle Abbey, Dalkeith. This was a community / student training excavation that found much more than was expected when they targeted WW2 practice trenches. All are welcome to come along and find out how the event was organised, who was involved and what was discovered. Our speaker, Jane Miller from Archaeology Scotland, was there and will tell us all about it.
DUNBLANE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY - TUESDAY 21 JANUARY 2025
We are very pleased to welcome Peter Mehta to Dunblane to talk to us. Peter is an amateur clock repairer based in Callander, but who previously lived in Stirling for 20years. He is a member of Callander Heritage and is interested in how clocks work, clock makers and their role in society in the past.
In his talk Peter will aim to demonstrate how we can learn a lot about our history by taking a closer look at clocks.
VENUE - DUNBLANE CATHEDRAL HALLS
STARTING TIME - 7.30pm.
VISITORS WELCOME . ADMISSION STILL £2.00
TEA/COFFEE AND BISCUITS INCLUDED.
The Smith again
KINLOCHARD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP 24/25 PROGRAMME
Wednesday 05 February 2025
Louise Nixon: Every Contact Leave a Trace
Wednesday 05 March 2025
Don Martin: Last Train to Aberfoyle
Wednesday 02 April 2025
Professor Richard Oram: The Early Burgh of Stirling
Annual Membership £15 or £4 per presentation
Contact Joyce Kelly (Secretary) Tel 01877 387292 James Kennedy (Chair) Tel 01877 387201
For Subscriptions Katy Lamb K.lamb142@btinternet.com – Bank Transfers preferred
Loch Ard Local History Group 80-05-91 00370858
Got a question? Get in touch!
Joke and Poem!
and this wee the joke and poem are combined…..a suggestion by Denis of the Ramblers
Granny. By Spike Milligan.
Through every nook and every cranny
The wind blew in on poor old Granny
Around her knees, into each ear
(And up her nose as well, I fear)
All through the night the wind grew worse It nearly made the vicar curse The top had fallen off the steeple Just missing him (and other people)
It blew on man, it blew on beast
It blew on nun, it blew on priest
It blew the wig off Auntie Fanny-
But most of all, it blew on Granny!
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Thank you Murray. I really enjoyed Digging for Britain.